Okay, so you’ve already learned about Highway 1 and what it can offer vacationing families in Northern California. It’s time to work our way down the map, beyond San Francisco, and showcase what appeals to kids along the California Central Coast. This is arguably the most picturesque part of a Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) drive. However, that’s not to say that plenty of fun can’t be had. From state parks, amusement parks and castles, to small beach towns, fine art, ATV’s, and plenty of marine life viewing. There is a lot for a pint-sized traveler to enjoy.
Santa Cruz
So I have to admit that I’ve never been able to look at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the same way after seeing the movie “Us”. But that doesn’t mean it’s not an awesome amusement park. In fact, Santa Cruz’s boardwalk is one of the best. The oldest amusement park in California and one of the last great seaside amusement parks remaining in the U.S. This gem offers up the perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary rides. Plus, its broad range of attractions makes it suitable for just about all ages.
My kids were about five and three when they first visited. At ages 13 and 11 they were still only too happy to spend an entire day at the park. Although they had obviously migrated from kiddie rides to thrill rides like Undertow, Fireball, and the famous Giant Dipper. Ride Wristbands, with unlimited rides, cost about $50 per person on weekends. Or you can load up a Boardwalk Card and pay as you go.
Monterey
When Californian’s think of Monterey, they often think of Monterey Bay Aquarium. And for good reason. The aquarium is heavily focused on marine habitats from the local region. Nothing but cutting edge, Monterey’s aquarium was the only aquarium in the world to successfully display great white sharks (from 2004-2011). It was also the first aquarium to exhibit a living kelp forest. There is no wonder visitors often proclaim it to be the best aquarium that they’ve ever been to.
The huge kelp exhibit can still be enjoyed today, along with the creatures that call the kelp forest their home. For children there is a lot to marvel at. Whether it is strange looking sharks, playful sea otters, giant octopus, or cute little penguins. There is even an ocean view deck outside where you can try and spot humpback whales in their natural habitat.
However, there is so much more to see and do with kids in this part of the California Central Coast. Why not take your child to one of the largest Salvador Dali exhibits in the country? With a constantly rotating collection, there is sure to be a piece of art that will inspire them. Or you could rent a bike and ride along the paved coastal bike path. It follows the old railway line and takes you through sand dunes higher than your child’s head. Or you could let your kid be wowed by the magic tricks at Zucchini’s Tricks n’ Things on Cannery Row. Speaking of which, Cannery Row is also home to a fantastic Mirror Maze that will even entertain teenagers.
Finally, if you haven’t had the chance to spy any whales by the time you reach Monterey, you can always go on a whale watching tour. There are plenty of options at Old Fisherman’s Wharf. The prices are reasonable and whales sightings are pretty much guaranteed.
Big Sur
Big Sur is home to a couple of great State Parks, as well as some spectacular waterfalls, and a really cool lighthouse. The lighthouse is called Point Sur Light Station. It is dramatically perched atop a giant rock formation that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Fully active between 1889 and 1974, it once contained a massive Fresnel lens with 580 glass prisms.
Today you can participate in a first come, first serve, walking tour. However these only take place on Saturdays at 10 am and Wednesdays at 1 pm. Equally important, arrive early. The tour only accommodates 40 people, and there will be a line of cars waiting to get in. The tour begins at a farm gate off Highway 1, a quarter mile north of the Point Sur Naval Facility. As you make your half mile approach up to the lighthouse by foot, you’ll get a sense of just how isolated this location used to be for the families who worked here more than 100 years ago. The tour itself includes a climb of the lighthouse tower, as well as a walk around the catwalk outside. Just hold on tight to the railing as the winds can be fierce.
Traveling further south down the California Central Coast, there is an opportunity for kids to see one of Big Sur’s waterfalls. McWay Falls flows year-round and is 80 foot high. If you are lucky enough to visit during high tide, you will be witnessing one of only two tidefalls in California. To get to the viewpoint for McWay Falls, you will need to park in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and make your way along a quarter mile footpath back toward Highway 1. But why stop at waterfall gazing. Since you are already there, consider having a picnic in the park, followed by some exploration. There are 2,500-year-old redwood trees inside the park!
Drive another 20 miles on Highway 1 and you’ll find yourself at Sand Dollar Beach. This section of coastline offers up the largest stretch of sand in Big Sur. But you need to make sure you are there during low tide to enjoy it. Otherwise you’ll discover only a very rocky beach. As its name suggests, Sand Dollar Beach is great for finding sand dollar shells. These are the remains of burrowing sea urchins that have died and lost their spines. Searching for sand dollars has long been a favorite pastime for my kids. Their passion began when their grandmother gave them a sand dollar with a little poem about five white doves inside every shell.
If shells aren’t your cup of tea, rumor has it that you can also find jade at this beach. But we’ve had no such luck. We do enjoy watching the surfers who frequent the waters here though. For those with littles, you’ll be happy to know that there are restrooms at the carpark next to the trailhead. The trail itself is also only half a mile out and back. However, you do have to navigate some stairs down to the beach at the end of the trail.
San Simeon
Anyone interested in early 20th century American history has probably heard of William Randolph Hearst. He was a publishing tycoon with a penchant for sensationalism. If you haven’t, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen the famous 1941 Orson Welles movie, “Citizen Kane” instead. It is said that the main character, Charles Foster Kane, was modeled after Hearst. Certainly, Hearst thought so, as he did everything in his power to try and stop the movie’s release.
Today Hearst’s beloved estate in San Simeon is open for a variety of tours. While it is called Hearst castle, it is nothing like the medieval castles your child may know from storybooks. But it does provide an exquisite, almost Gatsby-like, look back at what privilege could buy 100 years ago.
Just down the road from Hearst Castle is a spot you may also want to visit. Piedras Blancas is home to a large population of elephant seals. Like the seals at Point Reyes National Seashore, it is possible to view them from a close range. However, you can also stretch your legs by taking the Boucher Trail out from the Elephant Seal Rookery parking lot toward the Piedras Blancas Light Station. Along the way, you will see plenty of elephant seals in their natural habitat. You’ll also get to escape the crowds.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a small coastal city 30 miles south of San Simeon. It has long been a favorite stop when traveling the California Central Coast with our kids. This is, in part, because it used to be home to some cool kid-friendly businesses. There was the Morro Bay Aquarium, where you could feed rescued seals a bag of fish, and the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum, which was home to the second largest skateboard in the world. While these sights are no longer around, Morro Rock still stands majestically at the edge of the harbor.
While climbing the 576-foot volcanic plug is prohibited, you can still marvel at it from up close by walking along the causeway that connects it to the shore. Here you will nearly always find sea lions playing near the water’s edge. There is also a great little maritime museum just across the street from the harbor, with wonderful exhibits and super knowledgeable docents. Further into town, stop by the Shell Shop. They have so many different shells, corals, and shark teeth on display, it is impossible to walk out empty handed. For littles, check out Tidelands Park. It is a favorite with local and tourist families alike because of its very own pirate ship.
San Luis Obispo
Madonna Inn, located only a short distance from downtown San Luis Obispo, is another great stopping point when traveling Highway 1. Ideally, you’ll want to spend the night here because every room is uniquely themed. Your kids won’t have seen anything like it. If you can, get a room with a rock waterfall in the bathroom. Children love it, I promise. While you are at Madonna Inn, you can also book an hour long horse ride at the ranch next door. It takes you up into the hills for some great views out over San Luis Obispo.
Nearby there is a great little hike off Highway 1 called the Shell Beach Bluff Trail. If you take it along the bluff, past some amazing homes and Pirates Cove, you will end at an Instagram worthy sea cave near Avila Beach. The 2 mile hike from Shell Beach Bluff is easy for kids and is paved until your reach the end of the gated community. Then it transitions into a dirt trail. If you are lucky you may get to see pelicans, seals and otters near the cave.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is the last close up view you’ll get of the Pacific Ocean before you reach Santa Barbara. Logistically it makes sense to spend some time here on a California Central Coast road trip with kids. But it is also somewhere you’ll want to show your kids. First off, it is home to the only beach in California that allows you to drive your car directly onto the sand. All you need is a vehicle that will handle sand and $5 to enter. Once you are there, you can tailgate and make a day of it. You may even see a car parade on the beach while you soak up beach vibes. But why stop at your car? The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area also lets you explore its towering sand dunes on ATV’s.
Steve’s ATV Rentals is who we’ve used in the past for our rental needs. They are located just a few steps away from the beach entrance. More importantly, they provide a free shuttle to take you down the beach to their ATV staging area. Kids as young as 9 can rent their own quad bike. Or you can opt for a 4-seat UTV for the entire family. The only requirement for UTV’s is that back seat passengers are more than 46 inches tall. All of Steve’s rentals come with a helmet and you can also purchase additional protective gear for an extra fee. Lastly, you get plenty of instruction on what to do (and what not to do). This comes in the form of both video and in-person demonstrations, so you feel safe.
Happy Travels!
Looking for some more Highway 1 inspiration for your kids, beyond the California Central Coast?
Highway 1 with Kids: Awesome Places to Stop in Northern California
How to do a PCH Road Trip with Kids in Southern California
